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Startup gift guide

20 unique gifts you can buy from startups across the U.S.

Dive into American Inno's 2022 Holiday Gift Guide
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Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday aren't just for traditional retailers. Startups are getting in on the act, as well.

In American Inno's first-ever national startup gift guide, we asked our reporters from across the U.S. to identify some unique offerings from promising upstarts. In this list you'll find an Oregon jacket startup that's good enough for astronauts, a crochet kit startup in North Carolina and a countertop cocktail maker in Chicago that whips up restaurant-quality drinks at home.

Dive into the full list below.

Oros' astronaut-approved jacket

For a high-tech twist on outerwear

Oros Apparel   Ski (17 of 53)
Oros Apparel sells a line of lightweight outerwear, including coats, beanies, gloves and snowpants.
Oros Apparel

Portland, Oregon-based startup Oros makes jackets and outerwear insulated with the same technology used in spacecraft and astronaut suits. In fact, its technology was part of a Blue Origin space mission to test how human cells hold up under intense heat. The startup received funding from the U.S. Department of Defense this year to use its apparel to keep U.S. soldiers warm in battle.

Oros Immix Jacket: $488

A countertop cocktail machine from Bartesian

A fancy cocktail machine for those who prefer to drink from the couch

The Bartesian device
The Bartesian device
Bartesian

Chicago startup Bartesian has created a Keurig-like machine for making cocktails. Its capsules can make drinks like an old fashioned, margarita, gin martini or a Long Island iced tea, with each pod offering the appropriate amount of bitters, extracts, juice concentrates and other ingredients needed to make the cocktail. The startup caught the eye of Oprah, who included the Chicago startup in her Favorite Things list in 2019. Actress Mila Kunis is also a fan, having joined the company’s board of advisers last year. Bartesian raised a $20 million funding round in 2021

The Bartesian Cocktail Maker: $366

A crochet kit from Woobles

For the beginner crocheter

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Woobles offers crochet kits intended to allow anyone to make crocheted creatures.
AMAIYA SAMDERS

Woobles, a Durham, North Carolina-based startup, makes popular crochet training kits. The company, on track to do $7 million in revenue this year, develops kits that allow anyone to make crocheted creatures, like a narwhal or owl. The company appeared on Shark Tank earlier this year, landing a deal from Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner.

Woobles Easy Peasy Beginner Bundle: $100

Satin-lined hoodies from Kin

For a cozy look that also protects your hair

Philomina Kane KIN Apparel
Philomina Kane of KIN Apparel with one of her brand's satin-lined hoodies on the set of "Shark Tank."
Christopher Willard

Kin Apparel makes satin-lined hoodies designed to accommodate all hair types. Traditional hoodies are made with cotton, a material that absorbs the moisture in your hair, leaving it dry. Kin's satin material does the opposite, which helps retain moisture and reduce friction. The Philadelphia startup was on Shark Tank last year, landing a deal from Lori Greiner and guest judge Emma Grede — the CEO of apparel company Good American. 

Green Kente Thin Pullover: $60

Coffee in a can from Atomo

For the environmentally conscious caffeine fiend

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Atomo's Classic Black and Ultra Smooth cold brews are now available online.
Atomo Coffee Inc.

Based in Seattle, a city that's no stranger to coffee innovation, Atomo has created a beanless cold coffee drink. Made from upcycled ingredients that are typically discarded, such as date pits, Atomo's process requires 94% less water and emits 93% less carbon than traditional cold brew coffee. The startup raised $40 million this year in Series A funding.

Oat milk latte 4-pack: $16.99

Chopsticks turned office furniture and cheese boards from ChopValue

For a unique, sustainable twist on your kitchen and office gear

ChopValue
The chopsticks can be used to make products from coasters to tables.
Courtesy of ChopValue

Boston startup ChopValue turns used chopsticks — typically destined for landfills — into furniture and other home goods. Its products include charcuterie boards, butcher blocks, coasters and even office furniture. 

ChopValue Wine and Cheese set: $46.50

Jewelry from Jane Win

For an inspiring piece of bling

Jane Win
A selection of Jane Win coins.
LCB Style Photography

Known for its signature coin pendants, Philadelphia-based Jane Win launched with five designs. The signature coins are emblazoned on one side with a single word like “Love,” “Hope,” and “Strong” and on the other with a corresponding design. Its pieces are sold on Goop and at other retailers.

Balanance JW Original Pendant Coin: $278 

Dog-themed shirts and hats from Doggy Issues

Ethical, sustainable and cheeky clothing for dog lovers

Doggy Issues
A Doggy Issues T-Shirt, locally screen-printed by Kopilot in Butchertown.
Ashley Cambron

Louisville, Kentucky, clothing brand Doggy Issues makes gear for dogs and their owners who have a cheeky sense of humor. The startup makes bandanas for dogs and shirts for dog owners. Doggy Issues landed a deal with Chewy this year to sell its products.

Sorry I Can't T-Shirt: $29

Bluetooth handset from Banana Phone

For a white elephant gift sure to stand out

Banana Phone Shark Tank
Max Brown, left, and Brian Brunsing, two of the founders of the Banana Phone, were recently on Shark Tank.
Shark Tank

Tired of talking into your boring old smartphone? Try the Banana Phone, a bluetooth handset that pairs to your iPhone or Android device. The Buffalo, New York, startup appeared on Shark Tank this year and expects to do $1 million in sales in 2022.

Banana Phone: $40

Inclusive fits from Both& Apparel 

Better fitting clothes for the trans and nonbinary communities

Hoodie brown
Both& has already raised more than 70% of its seed round. So far, that effort has led some well known figures in the New Mexico VC landscape to invest in Shepard's vision. That includes John Strong, an entrepreneur and investor in — among others — Electric Playhouse.
Both&

New Mexico startup Both& Apparel launched in 2020 with the goal of bringing high-quality clothing — with a proper fit — to the trans and nonbinary communities. The company, which wants to be the ‘Nike of the nonbinary generation,’ makes shirts, hoodies and more.

Both& Apparel Winter Pack: $110

Home painting from Pink Picasso Kits

An Oprah-approved paint kit

Brittney and Ashley Silfies
Brittney and Ashley Silfies of Pink Picasso on Shark Tank.
Pink Picasso

Pink Picasso Kits, a Birmingham, Alabama-based startup, makes paint by numbers kits that have caught the eye of several big names. The company appeared on Shark Tank last year, and was named to Oprah's Favorite Things list, along with appearances on "Good Morning America" and the “Kelly Clarkson Show.” It offers custom kits that allow you to create truly one-of-a-kind pieces.

Custom Paint by Number Kit: $94

High-tech goggles from TheMagic5

For the super swimmer

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A pair of THEMAGIC5 blue magic mirror gold are pictured inside the Charlotte facility.
Melissa Key/CBJ

TheMagic5, a high-tech custom swim goggle company, makes goggles that are made to measure to your face. Using face-scanning technology, the company says it can guarantee the perfect fit. Expanding beyond goggles, the company has leveraged its technology to create custom-fit virtual reality oculus headsets.

Blue Magic Mirror Gold: $49

Stylish work boot from Xena

A better work boot for women

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Xena's steel-toed work boot (Photo via Xena)

Milwaukee startup Xena makes work boots and apparel designed for women in STEM fields and the trades. Its steel-toed work boots are resistant to impact, compression, heat and chemicals.

Gravity Safety Shoe: $184

Inclusive dolls from Healthy Roots Dolls

Toys that empower and inspire Black girls

Yelitsa Jean Charles of Healthy Roots Dolls.
Yelitsa Jean Charles of Healthy Roots Dolls.
Courtesy of P&G

Healthy Roots Dolls creates a line of multicultural dolls and storybooks. The company’s first product, Zoe, is a life-like, 18-inch vinyl doll, designed with authentic ethnic aesthetics and educational play. Zoe’s hair is made using a specially designed fiber that can be washed, braided and styled like real hair. 

Healthy Roots Doll Zoe: $84

Yoga mat from Remember You Only Live Once

Exercise gear good enough for Oscar winners

Anthony Anderson, Donna Lee
Actor and comedian Anthony Anderson was among the celebrities who received a R-Yolo yoga mat.
Courtesy of Donna Lee

Boston startup Remember You Only Live Once (R-YOLO) developed a machine washable, dryable and hypoallergenic yoga mat. The company was included in the luxury swag bag at the 2022 Oscars. R-YOLO's mat is made of three layers. On top is a woven towel imported from Turkey, which is attached to a non-slip rubber base by foam padding.

R-YOLO Yoga Mat: $190

Pots and pans from Made In

Quality kitchen gear for foodies

Made In cookware co-founders 2018
Made In co-founders Jake Kalick and Chip Malt.
Kristen Kilpatrick Photography

Austin startup Made In makes a growing line of pans, knives, baking pans and cookwares. Backed by Alinea Group co-founders Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas and other investors in the tech and food space, the startup has been named one of TIME magazine’s best inventions.

Six-Piece Stainless Set: $421

Scooter from Phat Scooters

For an e-scooter that stands out

Phat Scooters
Phat Scooters is based in Phoenix
Phat Scooters

Phoenix electric scooter startup Phat Scooters makes a sure-to-stand-out ride that travels up to 20 miles per hour with a 50-mile range. Designed for the golf course or for personal rides, Phat Scooters gained popularity after Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray gifted his offensive linemen scooters in 2020.

Phat Scooter OG: $3,200

Running mittens from WhitePaw RunMitts

For the cold-weather runner

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WhitPpaw RunMitts
AG

Baltimore startup WhitePaw RunMitts makes mittens for runners that can keep your fingers warm while letting you flip the top off when you're ready to cool down. The startup landed a partnership with REI last year and plans to be in dozens stores this winter.

Wickn'Dry RunMitts: $25

A live video call with Santa from Cameo

For the little ones on your list

Little Girl Talking to Santa Claus on a Video Call
With Chicago startup Cameo, you can do a live video chat with Santa himself.
RichLegg

This Christmas season you can book a live video call with Santa himself thanks to Chicago startup Cameo. The 10-minute call can accommodate up to 10 people, so bring the whole family to watch Santa deliver some virtual Christmas cheer.

Live video call with Santa: $99

Robot shoes from Shift Robotics

For those who want to walk at the speed of a run

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Moonwalkers from Shift Robotics Inc.
Shift Robotics Inc.

Pittsburgh startup Shift Robotics recently unveiled its Moonwalkers, which the company says are the "world's fastest shoes." The device fits onto your shoes and allows you to walk a mile in half the time it would normally take. The device has an onboard control system that can detect an individual’s current gait to make real-time adjustments that lead to an increased walking speed. It's like having a moving walkway on your feet, the company says. You'll have to pre-order this gift, however, as the product hit Kickstarter last month

Pre-order Shift's Moonwalkers: $1,200


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